18. The Written Exam
'There sure are a shit-ton of humans like trash everywhere.'
I swept my gaze around the room. The spacious hall was packed with around 300 people crammed into seats. With about 100 rooms like this, plus some extra ones converted from spaces without chairs or desks, that meant at least 30,000 people were taking the exam this time.
30,000 flocking to the hunter exam—truly the end times. And this wasn't even the only place holding it. Branches in Busan on the opposite side of Seoul and Gwangju were running exams on the same day. Factoring those in, at least 50,000 people were sitting for the hunter exam today. Last year, it was around 50,000 applicants too.
I checked my admission ticket and took my seat. Even with 30 minutes left, almost every spot was taken. Everyone knew showing up late meant getting fucked, so they'd come early. But there were always a few deadbeats. Empty seats dotted here and there. Some would fill up in the next 30 minutes, but others would stay vacant even after time was up. Fake applicants' spots.
Ding, ding, ding.
As expected, until the bell rang, about five seats remained empty. Moments after it tolled, proctors in suits entered. They looked like active hunters, placing bundles of exam papers on the podium.
"Alright, welcome everyone. Before we start the exam, I'll briefly go over the rules."
Don't cheat, turn off your phones—blah blah, obvious shit. I let it go in one ear and out the other. I powered off my phone, tossed it in my bag, and spun my pen while waiting for the papers.
'Hmm, let's see how this goes.'
The hunter exam was split into written and practical tests. Written in the morning, lunch, then practical. Fail either one below the cutoff, and you're out—wait for the next round.
That said, the written exam was basically a joke. Anyone with basic common sense and decency—even a middle schooler—could pass. I hadn't studied, but I was a six-hour daily lurker on Hunter Gallery and Porter Gallery. No sweat.
The exam started, and I flipped open the paper quick. Plan was to blaze through and bounce for some fun.
[Question 1.]
Select the year of the Great Cataclysm.
1) 1940 2) 1950 3) 1960 4) 1970 5) 1980
'Uh... what was it again? Fuck, why even test hunters on this? Can't kill monsters without knowing the date?'
Stuck on the first one. I vaguely remembered hearing it in school, but no clear recall. I knew it was after Korea's industrialization... when was that?
I rummaged through memories, then recalled it had been about 70 years since the cataclysm. This year was 2032, so...
'1960. Easy.'
Checked 3 and moved on. Glanced at the clock: 10:50. Started at 10:40, so 10 minutes on question 1. No biggie—1 hour 10 left. 50 questions total, one per minute for the rest? Piece of cake.
[Question 2.]
Select the one NOT defined as a standard dungeon structure by the World Hero Association.
1) Tower 2) Open 3) Maze 4) Cross 5) Cage
The next one was a fucking breeze. Checked 5 without hesitation.
'Cage type? Fuck that shit. Dungeons ain't pig pens.'
Kept rolling through. Some Hunter Gallery trivia popped up too. At this rate, passing written was a lock.
'Good call skipping study.'
Marked the OMR sheet, handed it to a proctor, and dipped before time was up.
"Phew."
So Eun-byeol took a deep breath, loosening her tense body. She'd studied hard, but nerves lingered.
'At least if I fail written, I can retake soon.'
It wasn't a huge burden. Unlike practical, written retests were easy. Calming herself with that thought eased her racing heart.
"Exam papers incoming. Time limit: 1 hour 20 minutes, until noon. Finish early? You can leave. But no starting after noon—you know the drill, right?"
She unfolded the paper at the proctor's cue, scanning quickly. Mostly familiar stuff. Lucky.
[Question 1.]
Select the year of the Great Cataclysm.
Basic knowledge. 60+ years since cataclysm, so 1970—option 4. Even kindergarteners knew this.
Checked it lightly, moved on. Next wasn't tough either.
[Question 2.]
Select the one NOT defined as a standard dungeon structure by the World Hero Association.
Five standard dungeon types: tower, maze, open (field), closed (sealing), cage. So, 4—cross. Too easy to miss.
She powered through. First 30 were easy, but later ones delved into Hunter Special Laws, association bylaws, mana stone engineering, mana studies—tricky stuff. Still, clearing the 60-point cutoff seemed solid. It was designed for middle schoolers, after all—failing below 60 would be weirder.
'Gotta bolt before that bastard shows.'
Submitted and hurried out. Even if Lee Hyun texted or called, she'd have to obey—but ignoring by not checking worked. She fled far to dodge him, craving just lunch in peace.
Pulling out her phone to power it off, she saw something she shouldn't.
[Caller: Master]
"Ah..."
Once she saw Lee Hyun calling, no choice left. Grimacing unfairly, she answered.
"Hello...?"
"Lemme see, Eun-byeol should be done by now."
I stepped out to the main gate and called her. She picked up quick.
—Hello...?
"Done with the exam?"
—Yes...
Voice sounded drained. Bombed it? The ace who aced it would console her. Eun-byeol seemed diligent but not the sharpest. If she were smart, she wouldn't be at Myeongcheon University.
"Heh, then come to the main gate. Let's grab food."
—Yes...
Better eat before nearby spots filled. After about three minutes, she shuffled out listlessly.
"Exam go okay?"
"Yes..."
"Then why the long face?"
"...Just."
Anyway, what for lunch? Exam day—go fancy? Strolling, I scanned. Sushi spot caught my eye. Suddenly craving it. Kinda trashy for lunch, but on Eun-byeol's dime? Whatever. Order udon too.
"Sushi it is."
She nodded. I devoured the 20,000-won sushi set and udon. At checkout, her face soured—big spend for a convenience store girl. Felt a twinge of pity, but it vanished quick. Once a hunter, this'd be pocket change. Just borrowing from future Eun-byeol.
Oh, and my moral compass? Worn to nothing ages ago. If any conscience left, I'd have dropped out of Myeongcheon to help Dad.
Belly full. For digestion, enjoyed a Gangnam date with Eun-byeol. Not quite girlfriend material, but fun parading with a girl. Boosted my swagger. This why people date?
"Heh, already 1:30. Head back."
"Yes."
She'd pouted at first but soon trailed obediently. Knew escape was impossible, so rolling with it. Indoctrination sinking in. A bit more gaslighting, and she'd turn nicely submissive.
Though that might kill the fun. Obedient Eun-byeol was already my constellation plaything anyway. Whatever—submissive or rebellious, her pussy'd stay tight.
We returned to Hero Association HQ. Time for the practical exam.